Kismet of Orland Park, a longtime local restaurant that served generations of families for more than 50 years, officially closed its doors Dec. 5, bringing to an end decades of shared meals, familiar faces and community traditions.
In the days following the closure, patrons who stopped by the restaurant at 9931 W. 151st St. in Orland Park were greeted by a handwritten letter taped to the front door from owner Roy Tufek — a brief but emotional farewell that reflected both gratitude and heartbreak.
“This is the end of Kismet Restaurant. I tried my best, but it’s not working,” the letter read. “I appreciate your support over the past half a century. Thank you. I love you all. Roy.”
Tufek first opened Kismet in 1977, drawing on more than 50 years of experience in the restaurant industry and turning the eatery into a neighborhood staple known for its welcoming atmosphere and personal touch. Over the decades, it became a familiar stop for residents of Orland Park and nearby suburbs, where families celebrated birthdays and milestones, regulars returned week after week, and staff members became part of the fabric of the restaurant’s identity.
The restaurant’s history included periods of transition and challenge. Tufek retired in 2017 and sold the business, which passed through several owners before closing earlier this year amid rising costs and operational pressures. Unwilling to see what he often described as a second home disappear, Tufek reclaimed ownership and reopened Kismet in June, renovating the space and reconnecting with longtime customers who welcomed him back warmly.
Despite those efforts, the final closure came quietly in early December.
The sudden finality has left many in the community reflecting on what Kismet meant to them. Tributes quickly appeared on social media, with former patrons sharing memories of first jobs, family dinners and friendships formed over decades of dining room conversations.
While no detailed explanation beyond Tufek’s letter was given, the closure underscores the ongoing challenges faced by independent, family-owned restaurants, even those with deep roots and loyal followings.
Now dark, Kismet leaves behind a legacy defined less by its menu than by the relationships built inside its walls, and by a handwritten goodbye from an owner whose life and livelihood were closely tied to the community he served for more than six decades.
Loved going to Kismet restaurant, food was very good. You will absolutely be missed !!
We wish you the best in the coming new year! Debbie Tucker So sorry to see you go.